With another big victory over the United States in the men’s WFCQ AMER, Team Canada has punched their ticket to both the 2024 World Championship in Malmö, Sweden and the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China.
Following a dominant 11-2 win in the opening game of the two game aggregate scoring series, Team Canada looked to carry their momentum into the final battle.
That momentum was certainly on their side as Eetu Lumiala found mesh in the opening 25 seconds. Within five minutes, Canada had built up a 3-0 lead with goals from Valtteri Viitakoski and Tristan Walsh.
With his five-point performance in game one, Viitakoski became the program’s all-time points leader and extended the record with yet another five-point performance.
Team USA earned their first score in the form of a penalty shot. Andreas Sievert was the one to beat Canada’s goaltender head-to-head. Only a minute later, the USA added another goal, but their biggest highlight came from a short-handed opportunity.
Maximus Blanco stole the ball from Canada’s powerplay unit, speeding across the court and snagging a goal to tie things up at 3-3.
Canada rebuilt a two-goal lead before the end of the first period. Thomas Courtemanche closed the period with a goal from the slot, his first in a Team Canada jersey.
The second period saw a second penalty shot; this time Canada’s Brandon Barber was handling the ball. Barber’s backhand beat USA’s goaltender and Canada had a 6-3 edge.
The lead reached 8-3 before Team USA found a pair of goals, including a huge strike from Blanco to fire up the squad.
Unfortunately for the visitors, that fifth goal marked the end of their scoring.
Canada added seven more goals throughout the remainder of the second and third periods. Captain Matt Smith fired one in, while Carter Cooke and James Daly each scored their first international goals for Canada.
Viitakoski led Canada with two goals and three assists, followed by Cedric Grenapin and Tristan Walsh who each logged a goal and two assists.
